Blog by Scott & Marcella Williams

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STRONG SALES CONTINUE!

SURREY, BC – In August, home sales in the Fraser Valley moderated in comparison to July’s record-setting pace, however, they remained elevated compared to historical norms for the month.

There was a total of 1,734 property sales processed in August, an increase of 33 per cent compared to 1,302 sales during August of last year and a decrease of 21 per cent compared to July’s 2,184 sales.

Jorda Maisey is the Board’s President. “High consumer confidence and low mortgage rates continue to drive the activity we’ve seen in our market this summer.

“Even with the holiday season, sales last month remained 25 per cent higher than the Board’s 10-year average for August. This year marks one of the busiest summer markets we’ve ever had in the Fraser Valley, second only to 2005.”

In August, the total number of active listings in the Fraser Valley decreased 4 per cent compared to July, dropping to 7,407 listings. This represents a 21 per cent decrease from last year’s 9,403 active listings. The MLS® received 2,457 new listings in August, an increase of 3 per cent compared to August of last year.

Maisey adds, “In our market, price is key. Demand remains strongest for single family detached homes and townhomes that are priced correctly. Sellers who hope to take advantage of the current market will find that neither buyers nor their lenders are prepared to over pay.

“We anticipate more inventory will be coming on stream come fall, and we advise our buyers who can wait, to wait.”

The MLS® Home Price Index benchmark price of a detached home in August was $629,400, an increase of 10.5 per cent compared to August of last year when it was $569,800. The MLS® HPI benchmark price of Fraser Valley townhouses increased 2.7 per cent going from $298,500 in August of last year to $306,700 last month. The benchmark price of apartments decreased year-over-year by 2.4 per cent, going from $196,700 in August of last year to $191,900 last month.

Maisey adds, “First time buyers and investors are noticing that of the three main property types, the best selection in the Fraser Valley is in the condo market. In August, we saw apartment sales pick up specifically in White Rock, Langley and North Surrey.”